Early recognition of paediatric autoimmune encephalopathies is critical because they are treatable. Serological findings and response to immunotherapy are confirmatory.

The expedited diagnosis of an autoimmune neurological disorder is critical because early treatment facilitates improvement. The data reported by Hacohen et al from a multi-institutional experience of childhood autoimmune encephalopathies should promote early recognition of these disorders.1

Autoimmunity ranks high in the differential diagnosis for encephalopathy. Suspicion is heightened when neuropsychiatric symptom onset is subacute, autoimmunity is recorded in the personal or family history, or serological findings are supportive. Autoantibody detection in serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with specificities either non-neural (eg, thyroid peroxidase or antinuclear) or neural …